Self-defeating personality disorder (also known as masochistic personality disorder) was a proposed personality disorder. As a descriptor for "Other personality disorder" it was included in the DSM-III in 1980. . It was discussed in an appendix of the revised DSM-III-R in 1987, but was never formally admitted into the manual. The distinction was not seen as clinically valuable because of its significant overlap with other personality disorders (borderline, avoidant and dependent). Both the DSM-III and DSM-III-R separated the condition from sexual masochism. It was entirely excluded from the DSM-IV. Since the DSM-5, the diagnoses other specified / unspecified personality disorder have mostly replaced its use.

Diagnosis

Definition proposed in DSM III-R for further review

Self-defeating personality disorder is:

Exclusion from DSM-IV

Historically, masochism has been associated with submissiveness. This disorder became politically controversial when associated with domestic violence, which was considered to be mostly caused by males. However, a number of studies suggest that the disorder is common. In spite of its exclusion from DSM-IV in 1994, it continues to enjoy widespread currency amongst clinicians as a construct that explains many facets of human behaviour.

Millon's subtypes

Theodore Millon has proposed four subtypes of masochist. Any individual masochist may fit into none, one or more of the following subtypes: